Search form

For Immediate Release

David Ogden Confirmed as Deputy Attorney General

WASHINGTON - Today the Senate voted 65-28 to confirm David Ogden as Deputy
Attorney General. People For the American Way president Kathryn Kolbert
issued the following statement:

"It's incredible to think that Senate Republicans considered
filibustering David Ogden's nomination even for a second. Ogden is a
widely respected attorney with previous Justice Department experience
and bipartisan support. But to listen to some Republicans and Religious Right leaders talk about him, you could be excused for thinking that President Obama had actually nominated Larry Flynt."

"In reality, Ogden is a seasoned lawyer and public servant whose hard work has earned him the support
of the National District Attorneys Association, Fraternal Order of
Police, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and many
others. He is precisely the type of person we need at the helm of the
Justice Department as it tackles the many challenges facing our nation.
Fortunately a bipartisan majority of Senators saw past the smears
directed at Ogden, but the obstructionist threats and extreme rhetoric
from the most conservative Senators set a bad precedent for future
nominations."

###

FRIENDS: Now More Than Ever

Independent journalism has become the last firewall against government and corporate lies. Yet, with frightening regularity, independent media sources are losing funding, closing down or being blacked out by Google and Facebook. Never before has independent media been more endangered. If you believe in Common Dreams, if you believe in people-powered independent media, please support us now and help us fight—with truths—against the lies that would smother our democracy. Please help keep Common Dreams alive and growing. Thank you. -- Craig Brown, Co-founder

People For the American Way is dedicated to making the promise of America real for every American: Equality. Freedom of speech. Freedom of religion. The right to seek justice in a court of law. The right to cast a vote that counts. The American Way. Our vision is a vibrantly diverse democratic society in which everyone is treated equally under the law, given the freedom and opportunity to pursue their dreams, and encouraged to participate in our nation’s civic and political life. Our America respects diversity, nurtures creativity and combats hatred and bigotry.

Further

Lookit These Kids Redux: Over 200 kids in Pennsylvania who defied their school's ban on joining last week's nationwide walkout transformed their ostensible punishment into Civil Disobedience 101 by turning their detention into a silent, moving sit-in. With the community offering support - and pizza - the #Pennridge 225 linked arms, wore the names of Parkland victims and declared the consequences of their actions "a badge of honor" to show "we’ll stand up for what is right."